Modesto CA vs Spokane WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.2 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 6.1% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 4.7% | 2.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 2.9% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 7.8% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $65,745 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 14.6% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 58.3% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 17.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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